Highlights From Coke Zero 400 Weekend

Serving as the finale to the Independence Day weekend was the largest fireworks show in the Southeast. The show, which took a 10-person crew from Fireworks by Santore 10 days to set up, was 15 minutes long with fireworks shot from 15 different locations along the DAYTONA backstretch and Lake Lloyd.

Night Racing Action

Racing under the lights returned to Daytona International Speedway last weekend with the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered on Friday and the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on Saturday. Brad Keselowski earned his first DAYTONA win, edging Kyle Busch by 0.159 seconds after leading a race-best 115 of the 161 laps.

Montgomery Gentry Pre-Race Concert

The multi-platinum country music duo comprised of Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry, performed a pre-race concert prior to the 58th annual Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola. Kicking off the festivities around the Saturday night, prime-time race, the duo played crowd-favorite hits including “Something to Be Proud Of”, “Lucky Man”, “My Town” and many more!

Pre-Race Festivities

The national anthem was performed by the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Band from Fort Benning, Georgia. During the national anthem, more than 200 military and NASCAR team members unfurled a 150’x300’ American flag on the frontstretch ball field. Following the anthem, a stunning flyover was performed by four F-16s from the 93rd Fighter Squadron from Homestead Air Reserve Base.

XFINITY Series Windshield Tribute

The 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, the USS New York (LPD-21), and our friends the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds were among the military units and installations from all five branches that replaced the “XFINITY” header on NASCAR XFINITY Series cars during the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola. Driver Aric Almirola won with his special windshield paying tribute to the USS Enterprise. It was his first victory and third top-10 finish in eight NASCAR XFINITY Series races at DAYTONA.

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients

For the eighth consecutive year, Daytona International Speedway was honored to welcome Congressional Medal of Honor recipients to the 4th of July weekend festivities. The proud tradition continued with three Congressional Medal of Honor recipients recognized before the start of Friday night’s Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR XFINITY Series race and Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The Medal of Honor recipients in attendance included Staff Sergeant Ty Carter, Command Sergeant Major Gary Littrell and Captain Florent Groberg, each having “distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty.”

UNOH FANZONE Entertainment

The fan interactive area located in the infield of Daytona International Speedway was be a busy place for fans during the race weekend. Many of the NASCAR drivers, including current stars like Danica Patrick, Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola, along with past greats like Rusty Wallace participated in question and answer sessions. The NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers and the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients held autograph sessions during the weekend as well.

Interested in returning next year for all of the Independence Day weekend excitement? The renewal period for tickets to the 2017 Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola will run from late August until September. Watch your mailboxes around that time or stay connected with Daytona International Speedway via Twitter and Facebook for more information.